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K-STATE STUDENT TO RECEIVE DIPLOMA FROM MENTOR AND FORMER DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, BILL STAMEY

MANHATTAN -- When Chantel Frager, senior, Morrowville, receives her bachelor's degree in life sciences at commencement for Kansas State University's College of Arts and Sciences, it will be presented by her special friend and mentor: Bill Stamey, the former longtime dean of the college.

Commencement for the college will be at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 15, in Bramlage Coliseum.

Stamey, along with his wife Rae, have been Frager's mentors throughout the spring semester. They were paired up through the K-State gerontology program and Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community, where the Stameys live. They have been meeting every other Thursday throughout the semester to discuss generational issues.

"At an age where interesting things are happening, it's just exciting for us to be around somebody like Chantel who is excited about life and what is coming up," Stamey said. "It's a closer relationship than a professor-student relationship, but there is not the emotional tie like between our children and grandchildren. However, it comes close."

Stamey decided to present Frager with her degree when the two were discussing the joy of commencement day. When he was dean, Stamey instituted the opportunity for faculty to present a graduating relative from the College of Arts and Sciences with his or her diploma. Stamey himself has presented two of his grandchildren with their diplomas from K-State.

Stamey, who joined K-State in 1953, became acting dean of the college in 1969 after serving as associate dean since 1963. He was named dean in 1970 and served until retiring in 1987.

Frager said that she is honored to receive her diploma from Stamey, and his willingness to present it makes her realize how good of friends they are.

"I went to a really small high school so I knew everyone in my class, the superintendent and all the teachers," Frager said. "So, going from that to coming to K-State where I wouldn't have any idea of anyone handing me my diploma, it just makes it really personal."

Stamey and Frager both agree that they would like to stay in contact with each other.

"We will certainly want to keep some kind of a relationship because she is a delightful young person and, I think, a promising individual," Stamey said.

After graduation, Frager plans to attend the University of Oklahoma to work on a degree in nursing.

"I haven't decided for sure if I will specialize in geriatric nursing, but I've always enjoyed working with the older population," she said.

Frager is the daughter of Gerry and Shirley Frager, Morrowville, and a 2006 graduate of North Central High School, also in Morrowville.